Electric regulation



Patented .-illllllef INVENTOR:

UNITED STATES JOHN L. CREVELING, 0F AUBURN, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC REGULATION.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. 25, 1921.

Application led October 24, 1914. Serial No. 868,404.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. CREVELING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Regulation, set forth in the annexed speciicationand drawing forming a part thereof.

y invention pertains to that class of electric regulation wherein it is desired to regulate the voltage across a circuit, or the current fiowing in a circuit.

My invention has for its particular object to provide means whereby such regulation may be carried out automatically and within predetermined narrow limits of variation.

In the drawing, Figure I. is a side elevation and partial section of one type of apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. II. is a bottom plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. I.

Fig. III. is a partial elevation of a modified form of apparatus comprehending my invention, and shows, in elevation, parts which may be substituted bodily for those parts appearing below the section indicate at A B in Fig. I.

Fig. IV. is a bottom plan of that modification shown in Fig. III.

Fig. V. is a diagrammatic representation of the devices indicated in the above figures, and indicates one method of connecting up the same for use in service.

Fig. VI. shows a modified form of one portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. I. and II., and shows the said portion in end elevation and partial section.

Fig. VII. is a side elevation iication shown in Fig. VI

Fig. VIII. is a partial section and bottom plan of a modification of some of the parts indicated in Figs. III. and IV.

Fig. IX. is a diagrammatic representation of the preferred magnetic iield flux in that apparatus shown in Figs. I. and II.

Fig. X. is a diagrammatic representation of the preferred magnetic iield flux when using that modification of the apparatus of Figs. I. and II. shown in Figs. VI. and VII.

Fig. XI. is a diagrammatic representation of the preferred form of field flux employed when using that modification indicated in Figs. III., IV. and VIII.

In the drawing, and referring particuof that modilprlyto Figs. I, and II., irepresents 'a frame or casting for supporting and holding in proper operative relation the various parts of one form of embodiment of my invention, and is provided with the insulated rods 2, serving as upper and lower retaining members for the various disks or contacting members 4, the regulating effect of which may be varied by variations in pressure thereupon. The members 4 in this instance may be considered as indicating a typical carbon pile restrained from lateral movement as by means of the insulating rods 3, which are shown carried by the frame 1, in Fig. II., but with the ends broken away in Fig. I. for sake of clearness.

The said carbon pile 4 may be electrically connected into the circuit to be regulated as by means of terminals or pig-tails 5. One end of the pile 4 is pressed against the flange or disk 6, and electrically insulated therefrom, as indicated. The said flange 6 is preferably carried by a stem 7 fitting freely within the bushing 8 and peripherally threaded member 9, tending, when made up into the thread of the sleeve 11, to compress the spring 10 and force the bushing 8 into that position shown in the figure where its flanged portion is shown as resting against the inturned iiange of the sleeve 11, which sleeve has its exterior threaded into the frame 1, as shown.

The other end of the pile 4 is pressed by the member or fiange 12, insulated ther from, as indicated, and pivotally carried upon one extremity of the lever 13, as indicated by dotted lines at 14, the said lever being pivoted to the frame 1, as indicated at 15, withits upward extremity free to move. within the open portion of the frame 1, indicated by the dotted line 16 in Fig. I., and shown more clearly in the plan in Fig. II.

The said lever 13 is pivoted at its lower extremity 17 to the compression link or member 18, passing through an opening indicated in dotted lines within the depending member 19 of the frame 1, which depending member is preferably made of magnetic material, and, if desired, the entire frame 1 may be made of cast-iron.

The member v18 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 20, to a yoke provided with limbs 21, preferably of non-magnetic material, carrying the shoes or members 22, preferably made of `magnetic material of high permeability,

The yoke having the branches 21 is provided with the extension 23, pivotally supported within an opening in the depending portion of the frame 24, as indicated at 25, in such manner as to freely swingl within certain limits therein. And, an extension of the member 23 is provided with a counterweight 26, and is normally drawn upwardly by spring 27, adjustable as by nut 28.

f 29 represents anv suitable tyoe of dashpot, which may be connected in any suitable manner with the member 23, as shown, for example, connected by the links 30 on opposite sides of the counterweight 26, engaging a pin through said weight.

31 is a stop, serving to limit the swinging movement ci' the member 23 in one direction.

Y The depending members 19 and 24 have attached thereto, as indicated, magnet cores 32 provided with pole pieces 33,.dening the circular openings or air gaps 34. And the said magnet cores are provided with suitable windings, indicated at 35, and for sake of example, shown connected together in series, in Figs. I. and II.

AIn practice, I choose to make the members 18, 21 and 23 of a light non-magnetic material, as for example,` an alloy of aluminum, so that the said moving parts Vwill have as little inertia as possible, and the said `parts may be balanced by counterweight 26 and the plunger. of the dashpot 2,9. And, in order to decrease the friction at the various pivotal points, any of the well known types of ball bearings or other anti-friction journals may be used.

In the apparatus shown in Figs. I. and II. it will notedy that the magnetic shoes or armatures 22 are separted from each other by portions of the non-magnetic limbs 21. And with this construction, I so wind the coils 35 as to set up a kmagnetic circuit, as indicated in Fig. IX., or in the reverse direction to that shown bythe arrows in said figure, it merely being preferable that the magnets have their cores in what might be termed series, to form a single magnetic circuit, the particular direction being ofV no moment.

If desired, the shoes or armatures 22 may be connected together mechanically and magnetically as by the core 36, shown in Fig. VI., and the said core may be pro'- vided with a winding 37, shown in Fig. VI. in section, and in elevationv in Fig. VII. This winding may be either in series or shunt with the field coilwindings 35, as desired.

When this modification is used, it is prei"- erable that the coils be so wound as to set up two magnetic circuits, each passing through the core 36, as indicated in Fig X.,

it of course being obvious that the direction of the said flux may be as indicated bythe arrows in Fig. X., or the exact reverse thereof, so long as the mutual relation of the two fluxes remains the same.

In that modification shown in Figs. III.v 'and IV., the dashpot 29 and other members extending to the right of the depending portion of the frame 1, are suppressed, and the lever 13 is pivotally connected with the member 38, which is pivotally connected, as at 39, with `a similar member 40, pivotally connected at 25. A

The magnet cores 32 are provided with pole pieces 41, the juxtaposed faces of which conform to the outer surface of the cylinder of non-magnetic material 42, supported thereby and forming the cylinder of a dashpot, provided with the plunger 43, carrying the stem 44, so arranged that as the plunger 43 is raised the stem 44, by raising the pivotal point 39 between levers 38 and 40, will cause the lever 13 to be swung about its pivot 15. Springs 45 engage thel extremities of the pin or pivot 39 and ltend to draw'the same downwardly, and may be adjusted bythe screw 47, threaded in the yoke 46 attached to the two springs, as shown.

If a wet dashpot be used,-as for example, one containing glycerin or'oil, the plunger 43 may be made of iron or other magnetic material, andmay be solid or hollow, as

desired, and may practically fill the cylinder 42, or the iron portion may be surrounded by a non-magnetic portion, as indicated in section at 48 in Fig. VIII.,` if desired to increase the gap around the said plunger.

Gr, 'if a dry dashpot be chosen, that portion indicated at 48 in Fig. VIII; may readily be made vof graphite, which will serve both as a spacing Vmember and a lubricant. Further, if desired, the dashpot core or plunger may contain a winding 49, as indicated in section in Fig. VIII., and the said winding may be either in series' or multiple, with the field exciting windings 35. In using either form oi' the apparatus shown in Figs. III., IV. andVIII. it is preferable that the windings work together to set up the magnetic fluxes indicated in Fig. XI. or an exact reverse thereof wherein the mutual relations remain the same.

vIn Fig. V., 50 represents a dynamo or generator, the positive lead of which is representedA atA51, and connected with the positive terminals of the storage batterv 52 and lamps or othertranslating devices 53, the negative terminals of the said translating devices being connected with the lead 54, carried to one of the Vconnections 5 of the regulating element 4, the Vopposite Vconnection of which may be carried to the negative pole of the storage pattery 52 and back to the generator through a suitable type of switch, as indicated at 55.-

In this diagram theb coil 56 in multiple across the translation circuit is indioatedas tending to draw its plunger 43 in a downward direction against the action of the spring 57 in such manner as to swing the arms 38 and 40 downwardly and lessen the pressure upon the pile 4, which is the equivalent of the oppositely acting tendency of the structure of Figs. III. and IV., in which the arms 38 and 40 are conversely arranged.

An operation of my invention is substantially as follows:

Referring particularly to Figs. I. and II., the carbon pile 4 may be connected as by means of the leads 5 with the circuit in tended to be regulated, and the windings 35 may be of low resistance and in series with a circuit in which fluctations in current are desired to operate the regulator; or the said windings may be of high resistance and in shunt to a circuit, the voltage across which is to be the standard of regulation. In either event, the coils 35 are so wound that with a normal operation of the system, whatever its form may be, the said coils .maintain a powerful field across the gaps 34.

Therefore, the members 22 are attracted powerfully in an endeavor to shorten the effective length of the said gaps, and any motion given to the shoes 22 by the influence of the said windings will cause the same to swing upwardly about the pivot 25, against the action of the spring 27, tending to normally hold the shoes in the position shown in the drawing, wherein the lever 23 is held against the stop 31; too sudden movement being arrested by the dashpot, as indicated at 29. Upward movement of the shoes 22, together with members 21 and 23, will cause the member 18 to swing the lever 13 about its pivotal point 15 in a counter-clockwise direction, and thus move the member 12 in such manner as to decrease the pressure upon the carbon pile 4, and increase the resistance thereof.

And, I usually prefer to so adjust the carbon pile 4, that when the movable parts of the apparatus are in the positions indicated in Fig. I. the carbon pile will be subjected to considerable pressure, and its resistance reduced to the minimum.

And, for the purpose of this adjustment, I may employ, if desired, the spring adjusting member or device shown in connection with the shell indicated at 11, with which arrangement the nut 9 may be screwed into the shell 11 until the spring 10 is so compressed as to determine the maximum pressure desired upon the pile 4. Then the shell 11 may be screwed into the frame 1 until the desired pressure is brought upon the pile 4.

Then, with this arrangement, if the pile expand, as for example, under the infine-nce of heat, the same may cause a slight yielding 'of the Vspring 10, `without .any injurious increase in compression upon the pile. However, this spring yielding means may be suppressed, if desired, and a solid member or bushing be used in place of the shell 11, properly perforated to carry the stem 9.

It will be noted that the type of magnetic circuit shown in Fig. I. is such as to cause a great effort to swing the members 22 in a circular direction, and provide an attracting magnet of long and powerful range.

Further, when the shoes 22 are drawn within the gaps 34 they will be acted upon substantially equally in both lateral directions, relieving heavy thrust, due to the attraction of either of the magnets upon the pivot 25, and thus reduce friction at said point.

Also, it will be noted, that I may so proportion the arms of the lever 13 as to exert great pressure upon the pile 4, with lesse-r pressure being exerted against the pivotal connection 17. And that, inasmuch as the members 18 and 23 pivotally connected together as at 20, form a toggle-joint, a great addition in pressure may be exterted upon the pile 4 when the shoes 22 are approaching the position shown in the drawing, for the well known principle of thetoggle-joint is herein utilized, as in printing presses and the like, to increase the pressure per unit of movement of the shoes 22, as the pressure upon the pile 4 increases.

It will be obvious, that in employing my invention as above set forth with regard to Figs. I. and II. it will be preferable to cause the .magnet windings 35 to be so lgrouped as to cause the magnetic flux through the same and the shoes 22 to take place in a. direction as set forth above in describing Fig. IX.

The shoes 22 may be united by the .magnetic member 36 carrying the coil 37, as shown in Fig. 6. And, the operation will be substantially the same as outlined above with regard to Figs. I. and II., save that the magnetic pull upon the shoes 22 may bc greater, if desired, owing to the winding 37, which may be either in series or multiple with the windings 35, as desired.

This construction may be made more sensitive, inasmuch as smaller variations in current throughout t-he actuating windings will cause greater variations in the mechanical effort of the fields of said windings.

Tith this arrangement, it is preferable that the various actuating windings be so connected as to set up two magnetic circuits, as indicated in Fig. X. and above described with reference thereto.

In that modification of my invention shown in Figs. III. and IV., the dashpot 29, counterweight 26, and other members appearing on the righthand side of the depending portion of the frame l, are suppressed, and the carbon pile 4 may be operated Athrough the .instrumentality of the lever v13,

as above described withV regard to Figs. 1. and .11.

However, in this construction the lever 13 is operated by the levers or links 3S and 40, forming lin eect a toggle-j oint, the members of which are pivotally united at 39 which may be termedfthe knuckle, and which, in a preferred form of my invention, is not allowed by the stem 44 (or links if preferred) to descend suficiently to cause the levers 38 andY 40 toform between themselves an angle of 180".

Therefore, with this `construction it is usually preferable to omit the spring 10 within the sleeve 11 and make the adjust ing bushing or sleeve non-compressible, for the expansion o'f the pile 4, if necessary, may be relieved if it exert suiicient force' to cause the knuckle 39 to be elevated against the actionof springs 45. wWhen the current in the coils 35 is suliicient that their magnetic effect upon the plunger 43 is sufficient to overcome the springs 45, the plunger 43 will be lifted, and the knuckle 39 pressed upwardly in such manner aste decrease the pressure upon the pile 4 and increase the resistance in the circuit to be regulated. And, if the current in the said coils 35 then fall, the reverse operation will take place. If desirable to increase the power of the magnetically operating members in this form of construction shown in Figs. lll. and 1V., this may bedone by providing a winding within the dashpot plunger, as shown in Fig. VH1., wherein the magnetic portion of the plunger isv shown shuttleshaped, and provided with a winding 49y causing the magnetic portion and said winding to assume a substantially circular` `section, and this so wound core is fitted into a sleeve 48, of non-magnetic material, giving a truly ycylindrical form to the movable member yor dashpot plunger, which "will operate in substantially the same manner -as did the plunger 43 in the above description of Figs. III. and 1V. Y Y

The windings V49 may be either in series or shunt with the windings 35, as desired. Andwhether the dashpot plunger be wound, or merely a magnetic body, l prefer to use the magnetic circuits indicated in Fig. Xl., or the exact converse of the same, under which conditions the mutual relations would be the same. A

Fig. V. diagrammatically po'trays one type o'f system in which my invention is incorporated. 1n the said figure the resistance 4 is shown as regulating the voltage upon a translation -circuit carrying lamps or other translating devices, indicated at 53, upon which it is desired to have impressed constant voltage, notwithstanding' the fluctuations in voltage which may take place across the storage battery 52 throughout its discharge,or while being charged by the gen.-

neces/raV erator 50, at' times connected withy the'battery and translating devices by means of switch V55. f Y

lf in any of the forms of my invention abovedescribed the operating windings 35 be connected across the translation circuit, as the coil 56 is shown connected, and the spring or springs in any of the types above mentioned properly adjusted, as the spring 57 in V. may be presumed to be, the pile 4 may be under considerable pressure, due to the said spring tending to lstraighten the toggle-joint 38, 39, 40, unless the voltage across the translation circuit tends to rise above a Y desired maximum value, under which conditions the knuckle 39 will be moved against thelaction offspring 57, ,O cause the pressureupon the pile 4 to be lesscned, andthe resistance thereof increased to'lower the voltage across the translating devices 53, which voltageA may be held substantially constant in this manner.

l do not wish ln anyway to limit myself to any of the details of construction Vnor enact modes ofoperation set forth in the above specification vfor thepurpose of describing an embodiment ofmy invention.

For, it will be obvious, that wide departureffrom the exact constructions and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, which is as set vforth inthe following claims:

- l. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending in combination therewith, a regulating element the effect of which depends upon pressureV applied thereto, means for applying said pressure at.l varying rates comprehending .a toggle-joint, and electromagnetic means coperating therewith for moving the knuckle ofxsaidjoint compre'- liending means for maintaining a dense and confined magnetic held affected by the operation of the regulating means and movable means operating in said field and responding to fluctuations in electrical conditions of said circuit. Y

2. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending in combination therewith, a regulating elementthe effect of. which deL pends upon pressure applied thereto, means for variably applying said pressure comprehending a toggle-joint and electro-magnetic means for moving the knuckle of said joint coperating therewith to control said circuit comprehending means for :maintaining la dense and confined magnetic field condition affected by variations in said circuit and movable electro-magnetic means operating in said field. I y

3. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending a regulating element the effect of which Vdepends upon pressure applied thereupon, means for applying variable pressure thereon. comprehending atoggle;

joint, 'ametro-magnetic means fer raving soy the lrnuckleof' said joint coperating therewith to regulate said circuit comprehending means for setting up a dense and confined magnetic field, movable means affected by said field, and means affected by said circuit for magnetizing said last mentioned means.

4. Means for regulating' an electric circuit comprehending in combination therewith, a regulating element the effect of which depends upon pressure applied thereupon, means for applying pressure comprehending a toggle-joint, means tending to move said joint to increase said pressure, electro-magnetic means for moving the knuckle of said joint to decrease said pressure comprehending vmeans for setting up a dense and confined magnetic field affected by conditions of said circuit and movable means aiiected by said field, and means for energizing said last mentioned means.

5. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending in combination therewith, a plurality of contacting members in operative relation t-o said circuit, combined with means for applying pressure at increasing rate upon said contacting members comprehending a toggle-joint, and adjustable means tending to cause the members of said joint to assume the direction of a straight line, combined with electro-magnetic means in operative relation to the circuit to be governed for controlling the angle between the members of said joint, said electro-magnetic means comprehending means for maintaining a strong magnetic field across a confined air gap responsive to conditions in said circuit and a magnetic member movable within said gap in response to fluctuations in said conditions.

6. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending in combination therewith, a plurality of contacting members in operative relation to said circuit, combined with means for applying the pressure upon said contacting members at increasing rate comprehending a. toggle-joint, and adjustable means tending to cause the members of said joint to assume the direction of a straight line, and electro-magnetic means in operative relation to the circuit to be governed for controlling the angle between the members of said joint, said electro-magnetic means comprehending means for maintaining a strong magnetic field across a confined air gap responsive to said circuit and an electro-magnetic member movable within said gap affecting said angle.

7. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending in combination therewith, a plurality of contacting members in operative relation to said circuit, combined with means for applying the pressure upon said contacting members comprehending a toggle-joint, means tending to cause the members of said joint, to assume the direction of a straight line, and electro-magnetic means in operative relation to the circuit to be governed for controlli-ng the angle between the members of said joint, said electro-magnetic means comprehending means for maintaining a strong magnetic field across a confined air gap, a magnetic member movable within said gap, and means for energizing said movable member responsive to fluctuations in said circuit.

8. 1n an electric system, means for regulating a circuit thereof` comprehending pressure-responsive regulating means affecting said circuit, operating means controlling the pressure thereupon including a plurality of movably united compression members of substantially equal length, pressure-exerting means tending to forcibly dispose said members s0 as to increase the distance between their opposite ends against the counterpressure of the pressure-responsive means and normally when unaffected by a modifying force causing said members to assume the position of approximate alinement with each other, and magnetic means opposing the aforesaid pressure-exerting means and varying the angle between said compression members in response to fluctuations in magnetic strength which is responsive'to fluctuations in a circuit of said system and, by virtue of the above-mentioned angular relation of said compression members, affecting the pressure upon the regulating means to compensate for slight fluctuations in the circuit to be regulated.

9. Regulating means for controlling a circuit of widely varying load throughout a wide range of regulating effect, comprising a compression rheostat requiring great pressure at one end of its range of operation and very small pressure at the other, of means for applying and controlling said pressure comprising a toggle-joint composed of substantially equal limbs, yielding means normally holding said limbs in close approximation to a straight line to greatly multiply the pressure upon the rheostat by this relationship, and electromagnetic means affected by electrical fluctuations in the circuit to be regulated for moving the knuckle of said joint to thus gradually and with increasing degree of motion draw the opposite ends of said limbs together to lessen the pressure upon said rheostat, said magnetic means being thus rendered capable of being operated by small fluctuations taking place in the circuit to be regulated.

lO. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending a plurality of contacting members in operative relation to said circuit, combined with means for varying the pressure upon said contacting members ccmprehending a toggle-joint with its knuckle substantially midway between its opposite ends, means tending to cause the knuckle of said joint to be forced into alinement with the aforesaid opposite ends to increase the pressure upon said members at an increasing rate and normally lholding said knuckle approximately in line with the opposite ends of said joint and electromagnetic means in operative relation to the circuitto be governed for moving the knuckle of said joint and varying the angle between said members upon slight uctuations in Voltage across the circuit to be governedV 10 whereby the voltage upon said circuit is held substantially constant.

JOHN L. CREVELING. Witnesses:

J. P. CREVELING, MARY MONTAGUE.

Certificate of Correction. It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,394,972, granted October 25, 1921, upon the application of John L. Creveling, of Auburn, New York, for an improvement in Electric Regulation, errors appear in the printed specification vrequiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 121, claim 2, strike out the Word condition, and line 122, after the Word circuit insert the Word conditions,- same' page, line 126, claim 3, after the Word comprehending insert the words in Combination therewith.; same claim, page 5, line 5, after the Word circuit insert the word conditions; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oice.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of February, A. D., 1922.

[SEAL] WM. A. KINNAN,

Acting Commissione?1 of Patents.

Certificate of Correction. It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,394,972, granted October 25, 1921, upon the application of John L. Creveling, of Auburn, New York, for an improvement in Electric Regulation, errors appear in the printed specification vrequiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 121, claim 2, strike out the Word condition, and line 122, after the Word eircuit7 insert the Word conditions; same'page, line 126, claim 3, after the Word comprehending insert the words n combination therewith.; same claim, page 5, line 5, after the Word circuit insert the Word conditions; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of February, A. D., 1922.

[SEAL] WM. A. KINNAN,

Acting Commissione?" of Pate-nts. 

